Virginia, George Washington announce home-and-home series

Capitalizing on region, common interests and a benefit to both of their schedules, Virginia and George Washington have agreed to a two-year series.

It's a nice little boost for college hoops in that area, and a decent non-conference offering. Imagine if we had a news release like this every week. College basketball's non-conference slate overall is solid but always in need of more games between possible/probable NCAA Tournament teams.

And seeing how these two just made the NCAA Tournament -- and both should be set up to get back there next season -- it's a good thing for them and the sport. The schools made joint announcements on Monday morning. The games will take place on Nov. 21, 2014, at UVA's John Paul Jones Arena; and on Nov. 16, 2015, at G.W.'s Charles E. Smith Center.

"Our goal is to play a schedule that is challenging and puts us in a position for a berth to the NCAA Tournament every season," Colonials coach Mike Lonergan said in a statement. "It's going to be an exciting regional rivalry for our players, students, alumni and fans."

George Washington and Virginia first played in 1906-07 season, and the Cavs own a 25-23 edge in the series. The last meeting came in the 2004 NIT tournament. Virginia hasn't played at George Washington in 30 years. Good on you for agreeing to this, Tony Bennett.

The teams actually came very close to playing nearly a month ago, as Virginia was the No. 1 seed in the East region, while George Washington was the No. 9. But Lonergan's team fell in the Round of 64 to Memphis, 71-66.